BOSTON - The Columbia lightweight and women's rowing prorgrams will compete in one of the world's most prestigious races on Oct. 19-20 when they head to Boston for the 49th year of the Head Of The Charles Regatta®.

This will be the second week of fall competition for the lightweights after splitting the squad to race at the Head of the Passaic and Head of the Housatonic last Saturday, Oct. 12. For the women, this kicks off their non-traditional season.

The Lions are set to be among over 9,000 athletes, 300,000 spectators and 1,400 volunteers converging on the Charles River and its shores for the event.

Since its origin in 1965, the Head Of The Charles has welcomed the world's best crew teams to the banks of the Charles River for the ultimate two-day rowing competition. D'Arcy MacMahon, Howard McIntyre andJack Vincent, all members of the Cambridge Boat Club, started the regatta in 1965 on the advice of former Harvard sculling instructor Ernest Arlett. The first Head Of The Charles featured around 100 competitors and has grown to 55 events at this year's event.